Even if you don't have kids yourself, these would make great Christmas gifts!
The other weekend I went to Christmas in Cowtown in Fort Worth, which is basically my wildest dream come true. It is a mega giant Christmas craft show. I love, love, love craft shows. As in, to a point that is kind of embarrassing. I rarely ever buy anything from them, but it's kind of like looking at a real-life Pinterest. Bam. I rest my case.
Anyways, I found a booth there called "Tabletop Truths". I was immediately drawn to the cutesy pictures. They sell adorable kid's placemats. (You know you're a nerd mom when you are immediately drawn to colorful, thematic placemats.) They had a table set out with 6 placemats, each with a different Nativity scene on it. The gal said, "Each placemat has a different scene, and tells a different part of the Nativity story."
Sold. How fun would it be to have these placemats around your table year after year? Your children could place the mats in order as a sequencing game. (First, the angel came to Mary, then they travelled to Bethlehem, etc). I love them.
Then I glanced around and saw their other themed placemats. They had Easter ones, birthday ones, Thanksgiving ones, and all sorts of other themed placemats. I wanted 2 of everything. I bought 2 of those Nativity placemats above.
(Thanksgiving placemat)
As a kid, my sister and I had placemats with maps of the United States, the continents, and even the presidents. We learned so much from these! My sister could identify tons of presidents by age 3. Kids might as well learn while they are sitting at the table, right? Children are like little sponges, soaking up all sorts of different concepts. We should seize each teachable moment.
Now most Christian children's items basically say, "Jesus Loves Me!" and that's it. This is nice and all, but doesn't have much depth. Why not dig deeper? Kids are capable of understanding more than that. Then I saw these additional placemats and was totally impressed.
(Clearly presents the gospel for kids to see and learn. I love the pure hearts on the right!)
and this one:
(This teaches the different names/qualities of Jesus. Amazing!)
If you think all of this is bologna, then you should watch this YouTube video. An adorable little girl is learning all about Jesus, and it makes me want to cry. So sweet. When I bought my placemats at the craft show, the gal there slipped a paper in my bag. She said, "These are some activities to do with your family along with the placemat." Again, totally impressed. The sheet had applicable verses and different games/points to talk about regarding the placemat. They are not just trying to sell a product. They really want to help you be successful parents and teachers. I love that this company is selling practical, educational, Biblically-based things that can help plant seeds of truth in your child's heart.
I couldn't stop thinking about how awesome this company was, so I finally emailed the gals and asked if they would do a giveaway on my blog. They said yes! Here are the details:
All you have to do is look at their site and pick out 2 placemats that you would want to win. There are many more choices on their website than what I showed here. Comment below and say which 2 ones you would like to win. These could be great gifts if you don't have young kids. If you win, they will mail you those 2 placemats! Ta-da!
You have until Friday to comment below and pick your placemats! Yay! Make sure you leave your name as well so I know who entered the contest! :)
I like the Attributes of God and the Little girl Identity in Christ.
ReplyDeleteOoops! You have to leave your name so I know who entered! :)
ReplyDeleteLove these!!! Traveling to Bethlehem and Jesus' Birth are my favorites! This is Blair Bryson from Facebook!
ReplyDeleteI would want to have the Attributes of God and the Jesus Is one--I'm a sucker for learning about God. There's so much to know! All of them are super cute!
ReplyDeleteThese are so cute! I would like to have the armor of god and the creation story for Drew....Lesley Moore
ReplyDeleteI love the nativity one and the Easter one! He is risen! I'll take one for Christmas if I don't win! - Ashley Tucker
ReplyDeletelove the nativity ones!! - lauren stewart
ReplyDeleteI love the nativity scene and Easter. Such a cute idea! Jill Simonetti
ReplyDeleteThe Nativity scene and the 'Jesus is...' placemats would be perfect for Sean (and Ethan in a year or 2)! Sean likes to read bible stories and is asking more questions, it would be awesome to have something interactive for him to learn more about Jesus! - Megan Haas
ReplyDeleteI love the nativity scene and the fruits of the spirit! Perfect for Lizzie. -Christine Peirce Coleman
ReplyDeleteThanksgiving! These are so cute. -Ashley Navarre
ReplyDeleteNativity and Creation Story! Thanks! Leslie Bolton
ReplyDeleteI love the fruits of the spirit and the nativity scene! We had a few neat place mats growing up and I would love these for the babies! Amber Stockton
ReplyDeletei love them all! favorites are the gospel and fruit of the spirit
ReplyDeleteI had to hold back tears as I read this. It makes my heart burst with joy when I see others who are diligently using their lives to share the gospel and help us parents share it with our children. I will purchasing some of these myself one way or the other, but jsut incase my name is drawn, my faves are:
ReplyDeleteCreation
Nativity Scene
Love you so much Liz! THank you for sharing!!
Dana Patterson
I love the Nativity and Creation placemats. Thanks for sharing Liz! Sabrina Rowe
ReplyDeleteI love the Nativity and Fruit of the Spirit ones. I love reading your blog and am thankful you find things like this!!!
ReplyDeleteI like the fruits of the spirit and the nativity scene!
ReplyDeleteThese are really cute Liz!
ReplyDeleteFruits of the spirit and creation are my faves. Thanks for sharing this awesome find!
ReplyDeleteLeslie Olguin